Edmunds rounds up today's top budget commuter cars

Edmunds rounds up today's top budget commuter cars

January 6th, 2019by Dan Frio/Edmunds
in Business

Think you've got a long commute? You're not alone. A 2017 Census Bureau survey found that Americans average nearly 27 minutes on a one-way trip to the office. An earlier census study revealed that 61 percent of us spend at least one hour driving to the office. What to do when you need a car that can rack up miles but not your debt ratio?

Here are seven of today's lowest-priced cars that deliver good fuel economy and have features to ensure your sanity on long drives. The first four are tops among Edmunds editors for extra-small sedans. Other choices in the class round out the list in alphabetical order. Prices are for base models and include destination fees.

To get the best price, it helps to know how to drive a stick shift. But even though manual transmissions often help extract maximum fun out of small cars, they aren't always the best choice for gridlocked commutes. Thankfully, all these cars offer an automatic transmission.

FORD FIESTA (Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $15,135)

The Ford Fiesta has a pint-size price but hardly feels cheap. Sporty and agile handling, high-quality interior materials and the wonderfully intuitive Sync 3 infotainment propel the Fiesta to the top of our budget-friendly list. It returns 31 mpg combined, and there's even a hatchback version for enhanced utility. On the downside, passenger and cargo space are small, even for this class, and that sharp handling comes at the expense of a smooth ride.

KIA RIO (MSRP: $14,795)

Forget what you heard about the old Rio. Today's Rio is a sophisticated small car without the sophisticated price. With 32 mpg combined, the Rio returns solid fuel economy. And like the Fiesta, it has alert handling. Hard plastic abounds inside, but the overall interior design and construction are first-rate. Standard features are a bit bare-bones, so it's worth spending extra money for upgraded infotainment and safety. But even in base trim, the Rio delivers excellent value.

HYUNDAI ACCENT (MSRP: $15,880)

The Accent is Hyundai's take on the Kia Rio; both cars share the same mechanical underpinnings. Like the Rio, the Accent offers invigorated handling, 32 mpg combined and an impressive interior. A recent redesign opened up more front and rear legroom and excellent cargo space. However, unlike the Rio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in the Accent (they're optional in the Rio). But flat, shapeless seats could take a toll on longer
commutes.

TOYOTA YARIS (MSRP: $16,370)

The current Yaris is essentially a rebadged Mazda 2, which is no longer sold in the U.S. Not only are Mazda's traditional handling and performance magic baked in, but so is the automaker's keen eye for interiors. The Yaris also comes standard with features that others charge extra for, such as automatic emergency braking and voice-controlled infotainment. It also delivers 35 mpg combined. A cramped back seat won't win friends on longer trips, however, and the rear seat doesn't fold completely flat.

CHEVROLET SPARK (MSRP: $14,095)

America's largest automaker also does small very well. The Spark comes from General Motors' Korea division, and what works well for a megatropolis like Seoul also works for America's urban centers. The Spark delivers 33 mpg combined and can squeeze into nearly any parking space. An array of standard features includes iPhone/Android smartphone integration and onboard Wi-Fi. A high roofline offers good access and visibility, but don't expect much rear legroom or cargo space.

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE (MSRP: $14,825)

No non-hybrid budget car can match the Mirage's 43 mpg on the highway and 39 mpg combined. Its tiny 9-gallon tank is rated to deliver
up to 359 miles between fill-ups, which should keep long-range commuters going most of the week. But you'll be moving slowly as the Mirage's three-cylinder engine struggles to keep pace with traffic. This Mitsu also suffers from lots of road noise and an overall lack of refinement.

NISSAN VERSA (MSRP: $13,255)

The Versa is the lowest-priced car on our list and one of the most affordable for sale today. It has a roomy interior with a large back seat and a huge trunk. It also rides comfortably on rough roads. Fuel economy is strong at 34 mpg combined. But the Versa isn't perfect. It is slow, has a cheap-feeling interior and lacks the engaging qualities that other cars on our list enjoy. But for commuting competence at a price similar to a vaunted Swiss timepiece, the Versa is hard to beat.

EDMUNDS SAYS

You don't need to buy used to get a budget-friendly commuter car. There are several great new cars that deliver excellent fuel economy and tech features to make the drive less of a grind.

Getting Started/Comments Policy

Getting started

1. If you frequently comment on news websites then you may already have a Disqus account. If so, click the "Login" button at the top right of the comment widget and choose whether you'd rather log in with Facebook, Twitter, Google, or a Disqus account.

2. If you've forgotten your password, Disqus will email you a link that will allow you to create a new one. Easy!

3. If you're not a member yet, Disqus will go ahead and register you. It's seamless and takes about 10 seconds.

4. To register, either go through the login process or just click in the box that says "join the discussion," type your comment, and either choose a social media platform to log you in or create a Disqus account with your email address.

5. If you use Twitter, Facebook or Google to log in, you will need to stay logged into that platform in order to comment. If you create a Disqus account instead, you'll need to remember your Disqus password. Either way, you can change your display name if you'd rather not show off your real name.

6. Don't be a huge jerk or do anything illegal, and you'll be fine.

Texarkana Gazette Comments Policy

The Texarkana Gazette web sites include interactive areas in which users can express opinions and share ideas and information. We cannot and do not monitor all of the material submitted to the website. Additionally, we do not control, and are not responsible for, content submitted by users. By using the web sites, you may be exposed to content that you may find offensive, indecent, inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise objectionable. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of the Gazette web sites and any content on the Gazette web sites, including, but not limited to, whether you should rely on such content. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you acknowledge that we shall have the right (but not the obligation) to review any content that you have submitted to the Gazette, and to reject, delete, disable, or remove any content that we determine, in our sole discretion, (a) does not comply with the terms and conditions of this agreement; (b) might violate any law, infringe upon the rights of third parties, or subject us to liability for any reason; or (c) might adversely affect our public image, reputation or goodwill. Moreover, we reserve the right to reject, delete, disable, or remove any content at any time, for the reasons set forth above, for any other reason, or for no reason. If you believe that any content on any of the Gazette web sites infringes upon any copyrights that you own, please contact us pursuant to the procedures outlined in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (Title 17 U.S.C. § 512) at the following address: